SEATTLE -- Needing a score to advance third-seeded Cal State Dominguez Hills to the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship third round next weekend, senior Jaime Rios calmly sent his shootout attempt past the host and second-seeded Seattle Pacific's keeper to set off a raucous celebration draped in Cardinal and Gold, sending the Toros to round three of the NCAA postseason on a cold and wet Interbay Stadium field Saturday night.

Here's head coach Joe Flanagan on advancing.


Goalkeeper Chase Gentry highlighted the night with nine saves and made two excellent stops in the shootout that played a key factor to the celebration.

Here's Gentry on the weather and his team's play.


The match will go on the record as a 1-1 tie with a 3-2 result in the shootout, but the events of the match mark the second time in three contests the Toros (15-2-4) had to determine the advancement of a tournament in a shootout. The Toros dropped a 3-1 penalty kick decision to Stanislaus State after a 1-1 double overtime draw in the California Collegiate Athletic Association semifinal eight days ago.

By advancing, the Toros will now face CCAA foes Cal Poly Pomona in the third round. Date, time and location is to be determined as it is pending on the result of the Midwestern State/Colorado Mesa match being played Sunday.

Weather, once again, proved to be a factor as rain never let up all throughout the day, something the Toros knew when they arrived at Interbay Stadium. 

But the wet conditions did not stop both teams as they combined for 41 shots on the evening. Seattle Pacific edged CSUDH in that category 23-17. 

CSUDH had several close chances to jump on the board first. In the 11th minute, Tony Alfaro made a short pass back to Jaime Rios following a free kick, but the shot from 25 yards goes wide right.

The closest opportunity in the first half was Pedro Velasquez, who in the 21st minute dribbled from midfield beating a defender but his shot from the top of the box was short off the crossbar.

The CSUDH defense started to have difficulty clearing the ball from its own territory, a defensive mistake by the Toros at that time proved costly as it allowed the Falcons to get on the board. A poor clear attempt deep in the Toros territory was stolen by Stephen MacDonald, who crossed it over from the left side to an uncovered Matt Merchant for the unanswered shot.

Despite playing a man up, the Toros still had trouble trying to stop an offensively aggressive Falcon (14-1-4).

Seattle Pacific opened the second half already hunting for an insurance goal and nearly had it after a rebound shot cross the line. The Toros caught a break as the officials ruled the Falcons offside.

The Toros appeared to have set up a possible match-tying goal when a beautiful forward pass to Velasquez from midfield but was intentionally taken down in the box by Jordan Kollars, sending him off the field with a red card. CSUDH did tie the contest, 1-1, a successfully penalty kick taken by Alfaro.

Despite having the man advantage, Seattle Pacific did push the ball forward into the Toros territory and continued to be aggressive on the attack. Several moments in the second half had the Toros catch a break thanks to either the Falcons being either offside or clearance by the defensive line.

The Toros had edged the Falcons in shots in the second half, 9-8. 

Gilberto Rivera, Tony Alfaro and Rios were the successful Toros in the shootout that helped the 3-2 result.